Rick Laney

Newspapers across the country are flocking to paywalls (paid access to online content) to stop their bleeding revenue stream, but it’s a shortsighted plan that does nothing to address the real problem ... their broken business model.

Social media experts, gurus, authorities, coaches, thought leaders, specialists and “pros” listen up: You are annoying and you need to shut the hell up, go back to your office (or couch) and listen to your indie music. Right now. Enough already.

Public relations firms have sold the illusion of control for far too long. In a world where social media and the Internet have made it obvious that the marketplace still owns the message and the brand, what is a PR firm to do?

If you are paying for traditional FAM Tours, you should do some investigating right now. Ask who the journalists are, who the media outlet is, what the circulation/viewership is, and exactly what you are paying for.

"The Pick and Grin 2012" delivers a full afternoon of entertainment to Knoxville's Market Square next weekend with amazing live music, hilarious comedy and a flaming roast of attorney Stephen "King of Swag" Burroughs to benefit Joy of Music School.

Feed Your Faith’s LOVE WORTH FIGHTING FOR tour featuring Kirk Cameron and Warren Barfield LIVE will be in Huntsville, Alabama on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at the Whitesburg Baptist Church.

Feed Your Faith’s LOVE WORTH FIGHTING FOR tour featuring Kirk Cameron and Warren Barfield LIVE will be in Marietta, Georgia on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at the Roswell Street Baptist Church.